Make a difference today…

January 7, 2013 | Newbloggycat

“We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we say.”
― Zeno of Citium, as quoted by Diogenes Laërtius

Truly listening to another person is a gift but it’s a difficult gift to give. Instead of listening, we may be wondering what we should have for lunch or what we should say next. Most of us are simply too self-absorbed to be good listeners.

Listening is a gift that requires practice and determination. Becoming a good listener is hard work, but giving the gift of being heard can make a great difference in the lives of those around you.

5 Happiness Tips for the New Year

January 3, 2013 | Newbloggycat

I believe every little step you take could add to significant life-altering changes:

1. Do what makes you happy regardless of what anyone else thinks.

2. Focus on what you want, and do not let your mind worry about things you do not want.

3. See everything that happens in your life as a learning experience. Resist the temptation to beat yourself up. Commit to learning the lesson and making positive changes.

4. Think of something you have always wanted to do. Focus on the joy that it will bring you and commit to it.

5. Watch your words as they shape your world. Stop complaining and criticizing as this will only attract more of what you do not like.

Care in the Kitchen

January 1, 2013 | Newbloggycat

Think of your kitchen equipments as investments. With proper care, you can save a bundle in the long run.

1. Blender – Grind some common salt in your mixer/grinder for five minutes every month. This will keep your mixer blades sharp.

2. Knifes – use a wooden board to chop. It will not blunt the knife. Also do not use a plastic board as small plastic pieces may get mixed with the food particles.

3. Freezer – To prevent formation of ice, rub table salt to the insides of your freezer.

4. Utensils – use non-stick utensils. Use thick-bottomed utensils as they get heated uniformly. For electric stoves, use flat-bottomed utensils. Add a little of common salt to the washing powder for better cleaning of utensils.

20 Happiness Tips

January 1, 2013 | Newbloggycat

In 1820, English writer Sydney Smith wrote a letter to an unhappy friend, Lady Marpeth in which he offered her tips for cheering up:

1. Live as well as you dare.

2. Go into the bathroom and bathe with a small quantity of water at a temperature low enough to give you a slight sensation of cold at 75 or 80 degrees.

3. Read amusing books.

4. Have short views of human life – not further than dinner or tea.

5. Be as busy as you can be.

6. See as much as you can of those friends who respect and like you.

7. And of those acquaintances who amuse you.

8. Make no secret of low spirits to your friends, but talk to them freely – they are always worse for dignified concealment.

9. Attend to the effects tea and coffee produce upon you.

10. Compare your lot with that of other people.

11. Don’t expect too much from human life – a scary business at the best.

12. Avoid poetry, dramatic representations; except comedy, music, serious novels, melancholy, sentimental people, and everything likely to excite feeling or emotion, not ending in active benevolence.

13. Do good and endeavor to please everybody of every degree.

14. Be as much as you can in the open air without fatigue.

15. Make the room where you commonly sit gay and pleasant.

16. Struggle by little, and little against idleness.

17. Don’t be too severe upon yourself, or underrate yourself, but do yourself justice.

18. Keep good blazing fires.

19. Be firm and constant in the exercise of rational religion.

20. Believe me, dear Lady.

5 Simple Rules To Be Happy

December 27, 2012 | Newbloggycat

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred – Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long

December 25, 2012 | Newbloggycat

By Joanna Fuchs

Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.
Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.
Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)
Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.
If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it’s not December.

Get organized!

December 10, 2012 | Newbloggycat

According to studies, an average adult spends 10 hours every week doing house chores. Getting rid of clutter can help you cut down 40% of house work in an average household. Try these simple tips to start de-cluttering around your home:

1. Sort through the mess one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

2. For every item you buy, get rid of an old one you no longer need.

3. Pick up at least five things every time you pass a messy area.

4. If you haven’t used an item in over a year, chances are you won’t ever. So, get rid of it.

Spring clean your body and mind

December 7, 2012 | Newbloggycat

Feeling run down? Yep, that’s exactly how I’m feeling right now. It has been a hectic week. My girls are down with cough and flu, house is in a mess, piles of clothes to be washed, etc. So, it’s time to spring clean before I go insane :(.

Here’s a list of things that you can do to cleanse and revitalise your body and mind:

1. Have a cold shower – A cold shower leaves you feeling invigorated and awake. So, turn the show to cold for at least 30 seconds every morning.

2. Yell your lungs out – Ever felt tense or stressed that you just want to yell or scream? So just do it. The best place to do it is at the beach or go out to the countryside.

3. Be in the present – Detox the long term worrying in your life. Deal with things as and when they occur.

4. Do a simple breathing exercise – Breathe in through your nose for the count of 4, take the air to your belly and hold for 4, breathe out through your mouth for the count of 8.

5. Snack smart – Snack on nuts and dried fruits rather than crisps and sweets. Nuts and fruits are packed with nutrients and goodness.

6. Clear your clutter – Look at the place that you spend most of your day – it could be your desk, home or workplace. Clear anything that you don’t use, need or have just let it hang around. A cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind.

7. Learn to say ‘No’ – If someone wants something that you cannot give – time or energy, just say ‘No’ politely. Wait until you are more ready to give freely. You cannot give if you have nothing left to give.

8. Get a hobby – Stop wasting time. Boredom is exhausting. Get a hobby and you will feel stimulated and challenged. It is more relaxing to be occupied than being bored and restless.

9. Do something different – It is easy to stop trying new things. Common reasons are we are too old, cannot be bothered, not ready for change. Try something new today like bake a cake, draw a picture or go to the cinema and see how it changes for the best.

10. Laughter – Laughter is one o the best stress relievers. So, read a joke book or see a comedy show.

11. Cut out red meat for a month – Give your digestive system a break. Feel the benefits and then cut it out altogether.

12.Eat more oil fish – Research has shown that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can discourage heart disease, help to reduce risk of cancer, help with arthritis and give you a glowing skin. So, eat more salmon, sardines, mackerel & kippers.

How to go green at home

November 24, 2012 | Newbloggycat

Quick tips on how to go green with your home:-

1. Freshen the air
Throw away air fresheners as they release toxins which have been proven to cause headaches, depression, diarrhea and ear infections. Instead, use baking soda to get rid of odour or place some fresh flowers for a natural scent.

2. Mow the lawn
Do not clear the grass clippings after mowing the lawn. The grass will decompose, providing nutrients in the soil for other plants. It will help worms breed which is good as they aerate the soil and enrich it with their waste.

3. Save water
Wash fruits and vegetables in a wash basin half-filled with water instead of washing under the running tap.

4. Water plants in the morning
Early in the morning is the best time to water plant as evaporation rates are the lowest then. If they are watered before midday, your plants do not lose precious water to the heat.

5. BBQ away
Use a gas-powered grill since natural gas burns clean and produces 45 percent less carbon dioxide compared to coal. It is also more earth friendly than charcoal and wood which produce soot that add to air pollution.

6. Spray it off
The next time you need to clean grease or paint off your hands, try some cooking spray. Spray it on hands, rub off grease or paint then wash with soap and water. It is easier and gentler than using paint solvent.